Cornyn wants 100% border security added to immigration bill

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Cornyn will offer an amendment to a sweeping immigration reform bill that would require law enforcement to have 100 percent U.S. control of the Southwest border before permanent status can be offered to undocumented immigrants here illegally, aides said Tuesday.

Cornyn, R-Texas, will offer the amendment as a way to strengthen the border security portions of the bill and to attract more GOP support in the Senate, where the bill still faces political hurdles.

But Democrats and the authors of the Senate bill have cautioned against “poison pill” amendments that could unravel bipartisan support for the carefully crafted bill.

The amendment calls for the U.S. comptroller and the Department of Homeland Security to establish that American law enforcement has 100 percent control of the U.S.-Mexico border before green cards can be issued to the 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Cornyn will call the provision the “results amendment,” because it “guarantees real security and real results,” an aide said.

It is expected to meet opposition from Democratic and Republican sponsors of the bill, who voted against increased border-security measures last month when the bill was before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Cornyn told committee colleagues last month that he would unlikely support the bipartisan version of the reform bill and vowed to amend the bill when it reached the floor.

The current bill would allow permanent status to 11 million undocumented immigrants and instructs DHS to bring 90 percent of the border is under operational control.

Cornyn’s amendment would require the U.S. comptroller, an independent agency, to determine 100 percent control before any permanent status or green cards could be issued.

Democrats and minority groups have voiced concern that increased benchmarks for border security could delay implementation of measures to address the 11 million people here illegally.

The Senate is expected to take up the bill and begin debate on its provisions as early as next week where both supporters and opponents of the current immigration bill are expected of offer changes.

Cornyn’s amendment mirrors the bipartisan bill in seeking a nationwide electronic verification system for employers to check immigration status of potential employees. Also under the amendment, permanent status for undocumented immigrants would be contingent upon the establishment of a biometric exit system to track foreigners who enter and exit the country on visas.